Noisy lifters

98 Plymouth Voyager has noisy lifters, oil level is ok. Any
suggestions out there? Rog

 

the oil level is ok now, what about the past history of oil changes?, How
many miles are on this?

 

Is this a 3.0L Mitsubishi engine? If so, do the lifters quiet down after
start up and the vehicle gets a chance to warm up?

If so, I've seen marked improvement in a 130K mile 3000GT with that same
dual cam engine using Mobil One 10W30 synthetic when compared to regular old
10W30 oil. YMMV.

Bob

 

miles, what grade and oil are you using?
oil filter

 

My 97 GC with the 3.3 V6 had that problem at ~25K miles. The lifters were
replaced under warranty.

The cause in my case was my short 4-mile commute. In the winter time the oil
would form sludge from excessive water in the oil (water being a byproduct of
combustion). Since my commute was so short, the oil didn't get hot enough to
allow for the water evaporation to occur. The resulting sludge clogged the oil
passages to the lifters and they became starved for lubrication and eventually
started to stick.

Since I had the lifters replaced, I change the oil ever 3 months or less in the
winter months, even if I've only traveled 2000 miles or less. And, I use
synthetic oil (Mobil-1 or Castrol Syntec...whichever I can get). I also try
and get her out on longer runs more often, when I can. I haven't had even a
hint of the sludge problem since.

Not sure what you can do once the lifters start sticking though, except replace
them. Perhaps some others here have some ideas.


| 98 Plymouth Voyager has noisy lifters, oil level is ok. Any
| suggestions out there? Rog

 

A good engine flush, followed by adding Lucas oil stabilizer or
Bardahl2 will often clean them up and get them quiet.
A quart of Dexron ATF in the crankcase for a 50 mile run just before
the change is a gentle, yet often effective flush.
The 3 month max oil change limit is the key to preventing the problem
in the first place, and synthetic oil tends to be more stable than
dyno oil - but keep in mind it STILL needs to be changed every 3
months in short trip winter conditions - so I believe it is a waste of
money.

 

You forgot the castor oil and ex-lax.

I've never had problems with Mobil 1 and I run it in winter in PA and
for more than 3 months at a time. Then again, I drive regularly which
probably helps most of all.


Matt

 

If you drive more than 20 minutes at a time AND get the oil
temperatures over 180F sludge is not usually a big factor - but the 10
minute max run, with oil temps under 180, and any oil will give you
trouble.

 

which engine??????

 

A treament of Seafoam will remove the sludge and then moisture.

 

I used to add some Marvel Mystery Oil to loosen up lifters. Not sure if you can
still get it.

 

Yep - sure can - I use it all the time as a sludge preventative in my
2.7L engine. WalMart and most auto parts stores carry it. Sea Foam and
MMO both work well (and so does ordinary ATF).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')